Yarn handling device



C. Ev. MILLER YARN HANDLING DEVICE Feb. 2, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 2l, 1949 lllllll lli-II wwmwwh uw awww mi .N1 uw INVENToR. CLA R15/VCE EDWIN M/LLER ATTORNEY Feb. 2, 1954 c. E. MILLER 2,667,964

YARN HANDLING DEVICE Filed April 21 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY@ Wm ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 2, 1.954

UNITED STATES ATENT critics YARN HANDLING DEVICE Clarence Edwin Miller, Staunton, Va., assignor to E'. Il'du Po'nt de` Nemours da Company, Wilmington, Del., a'corporation of Delaware Application A pril 21, 1949, Serial No, 86,781

9 claims. (Cl. 203-109) This invention relates to a yarn handling device and, in particular, to'a portable'device capable of picking lil) a'runninglength o f 'yarn and maintainingthe "yarn under tension 'until it has been transferre'dto a yarn' take-.up or Winding device.

In handling threads ,Of either ,natural er Synthetic origin, it is frequently desirable that-thc thread be collected temporarily by an auxiliary device rather than by the reg'ularfcollecting apparatus. For example, Burkhlder inY U. S. 2,206,834 Adescribes a Waste collection ,apparatus comprising a tubular palstgwal positioned between 'tivo Clap twister's, through Whichpassage- Way a fluid carries Wast'eyarnto a yforanfiinous waste collector during domng operations. A more useful' portable'yacuun; ftubge' for use in similar operations is described in ritish Patent 359,627. f

In the production Qf ,synthetit yarns it senerally necessary to draw the yarnseyeral tinies its originall length t9 getv -,f gfea't improvements in the tensile properties@ :the Yarn? 'For .teriomy it is desirableto 'conduct the drawing: onerations .on a plurality 'Qfstrtnis' Off Yarn' in the form of a warp. For uniformity the-'strands must be treated alike. ln I nany cases it is de- Sirable .t0 .terry .Qut drawing' Operaties' 1in the presence of a fluidy such as steanV 'under pressure. lhe principal diliculty attendant nto the Various vforrrjiws' of 'apparatus thatfhave been designed f0.1 .511.911"y .2f '.IQQQS" has' 'been 11.1"-the String-.11p .0f the 'apparatus .after a Strthd 0f yarn breaks during fthe process.' -It is best vto have a bank lof individual tubes, -one `for each strand, in drawing'a Warppf'yarn.' .These tubes are most efficiently 'strung upbyfinducing a 'w of luid through the tube in thedir'ection of the yarn passage, Vthe fluid'carr'ying theV "yarn through the tube. Howeven theorices of the drawing tube Ymust Ihe 'V'skrn'all -to 4"rriaintain a satisfactory steam pressure. The' use of Wires either topull-the yarntlirugh er bushitfthrough the cell is Yveryunsatisfactory, especially With cells of considerable' length.' In the use of a j et -for string-up it"was .found .that a vrelatively large outlet orice `was .required to permit suflicient floW`of Vapor to carrygthe .yarn through the cell. .Such vdevices lsimilar to ,the tubes described in U. .S.` 2,206,534 and British yflatent 359,627` are unsatisfactory bec'ausetheyy donotproduce enough `tension `-to move the `yarn through the tube :faster .than the input speed.

Itis an .object of this ,invention to p rQvide .a yarn .handling device lcapabie .of .picking .up a

maximum Yam!! running length 0f yarn and maintaining the yam .under tensin tutti@ has'brrt er id to a tarn tarea@ Lcr Winding device further .object I of' this: invent t vply' handling dvicefcaiabl of 4p'rov'idin a| lilm for bickinup ,fulfilling.`v

thereafter" producirlg-V a jdesired te the yarn until the'yarn has l-.neenv transfrredtb a suitable take-upfdevice.A AV tillV furtlieoli- 'ject is'to provide a portable' var'rfhandlig device incorporating these featii're'ss that "airlinn'ing length ofyarn"rnay be" trasferred'undr tensin considerable ldista'ricsl 4tlie'ff-- jects will becomeA apparent'-` in"`th" tions hereinafter. Y The aforementioned .emette .are aeliiplished by this inventionv which Vp'rovidesa nortable yarn handling devicecoriprising an in lete' uifd usually' a gas" suchV 'as air; undrpressure n'd @nnetd there@ @nieuwe @fthe fluid which outlet isfalignedfvrvith alv suction tube'tc formga passageway threuh th' dei'e'"' fr "the" Situatedb'etween'the tube 'and the outlet, which serves also as a diffuser, is'a Vt'fariable" ann-Is defined by the tapered outside wall of the suction" tnb'e`l and the" inside'tvall of'a funrie1`fde- Vice' located at the 'n'earf'end of'v the" dii'ser orifice.v lExpai'lsiqn coin'pressed air around the end o f the**sfuct'ior'itube' induces-'a su'ction in the tube and a yarn 'endbroghtfinto the tube is sucked through th (evicefv "-"Ihevariablefannulus controls"tl1`e citent of expansion'. I- creasing 'or decreasing v 'the size ofr theannls may .be accomplished by motingth'e .tub'e lflither out of the 4'device' orint'o the device,"- reA spefctiyely. The device, then,v comprises' means forminga tubular'15assag eWay- `in combination with means ieiiniig'a variableannular approach to an oriiceand` adifusrtube or outlet, rmeans for delivering fluid into"'thewannular-fapbroach to the orifice at ja point"between the entrance end' of th'elpalssageway andthe orifice spothat anv air vcurrent vWllfbe ir'dice'dutlrog'h thee'rri passageway 'or renting @tribu rneans at the.

.tiene .2.1 .is .e the new .ef the' ti-evi?? gewillig the relationship between the air inlet tube, outlet tube, aspirator and suction tube;

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional View taken on line 2--2 of Figure 4,

Figure 3 is taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a front View;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cutter knife;

Figure 6 is taken on line A6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of another cutter Y device; and

Figure 8 is a sectional elevation of a suction V '.wide taper being outside the body of the yarn handling device. In close proximity to the smaller entrance of the diffuser tube 1 is a funnel device 8. A suction tube 9 is slideably mounted .in support I9 which has openings II to allow vfree movement of air. Tube 9 is slideably supported at the other end of the device by means of the stuiiing box I2 containing packing I3 .compressed by stufng nut I4. Situated von tube 9 are two locking collars I5 and I6 which restrict the sliding motion of tube 9. Air under pressure is released into passage 2 Vat 6. `The stream of air flows through passage 4 into passage 3 and is forced into funnel device 8 and out diiuser tube 1 since the other end of passage 3 is sealed by the stunng box elements I2, I3 and I4 in cooperation with tube 9. The

Arushing of the air stream past the yarn outlet orifice I1 of the tube 9 into funnel device 8 creates a suction within tube 9. .inserted inside the yarn inlet orice I8 of tube 9 it will be sucked through tube 9 and into diffuser If a yarn end is tube 1 and from there to a foraminous container Yattached to 1 by a iiexible tube, the container and attachment not being shown. The closer the orice I1 is to the tapered entrance of diffuser tube 1 the greater the suction exerted in tube 9.

Once the yarn is suckedrthrough the device the tube 9 is moved away from and the tension on the yarn increases.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. The body I9 of the yarn handling device is of a convenient size and may be held in one hand. It is prepared from any lightweight material, such as aluminum. It comprises a Seamless tube 20, the ends of which are closed by front end plate 2| and back end plate 22. The seamless tube 29 .fits snugly over the shoulders, shown at 23 of the end plates, forming chamber or liquid reservoir 24. The front end plate 2l is shown in detail in Figures 3 and 4. The plate 2I is made from solid aluminum stock at least 11/2 inches thick. Hole 25 extends through the thickness of the front end plate and a second hole 26 is drilled parallel to hole 25 and is connected thereto by cross drilling 21. Plug 12 is threaded into the front end plate at the outer end of the crossdrilling to render it airtight at this point. The hole 26 is drilled from the back or shoulder end of the front end plate and extends the majority, but not all, of the way through the plate. Back end plate 22 contains parallel holes through its thickness of the same size and aligned with holes 25 and 26. The back end plate holes position air inlet tube 28 and air outlet tube 29. Air inlet tube 28 connects with hole 26 in the front plate and the tube 29 connects with hole 25 in the front plate. Contained in tube 29 is funnel device 8. This may be simply inserted in sliding contact with the inner walls of tube 29. Behind 8 is a diuser section 39. Depending upon the desired length of the diffuser section 39, tube 29 may extend through the hole positioning it in back end plate 22. The diffuser section 38, corresponds to diiuser tube 1 in Figure 8 and is connected by a ilexible hose to a foraminous container (not shown). The funnel 9 seats against the entrance end of the diluser section 39 and need not be positioned rmly in tube 29 but can be a close fit held in place against the diiuser section by the air pressure. Y

Also containedV in back end plate 22 is a threaded hole for insertion of plug 3I. Liquid reservoir 24 is filled with the nish solution at this point. The position of plug 3l and the inlets to tube 28 and tube 29 can be seen in Figure l. As shown in this ligure, nipple 32 connects air inlet tubeV 23 with anair supply; a flexible hose (not shown) is normally used between'the nipple and the air supply.

Threaded into hole 250i front end plate 2I is packing gland assembly 33. This assembly contains stuffing box`34 and packing 35 and nut 36. This nut 36 contains recess 31. The assembly 33, supports Vthe suction tube 9. Within the tube 2.9 is a support 19, such as shown'in Figure 2, which. in this embodiment is arxed to tube 9 by means of a set screw and which is in sliding contact with the inner walls of tube 29. This support orl guide bushing 1I] is a small collar with three equally spaced arms extending away from the collar and barely contacting the walls of the tube 29 and forming openingsI 1I. Attached to suction tube 9 by means of setscrews are locking collars I5 and I6. Collar I5 lits in recess 31 of stufling nut 36. Its purpose is to restrict the for- .Ward movement ofY tube 9 Ywhich movement is limited by threaded bushing 38. The backward sliding movement of tube 9 is restricted by collar I6. e

Air under pressure (4G-100 lbs.) enters air passage or inlet tube 28, flows through the cross drilling 21 into air chamber or tube 29 and hence to the funnel 8. The air enters the annular space between the suction tube 9 and the orice B and proceeds at high velocity out of the funnel into the diffuser section 30 where some of the kinetic energy is converted into a pressure head. vAt the mouth I1 of the suction tube 9 the pressure will be reduced by virtue of Bernoullis principle. which in brief states that minimum pressure occurs when kinetic energy is maximum. The walls of tube 9 at this end location may be smooth or grooved or ridged. In the viigures the mouth of the suction tube is shown for clarity drawn back away from the funnel. In actual operation the preferred positions are maintained by locking collars I5 and I6, which are positioned at xed locations on tubeV 9 by tightening set screws (not shown) threaded through the. collars to contact the tube, or which may be sweated or press-tit on thev tube as desired.

The diffuser tube is an important element of the invention. It serves to transfer the kinetic energy of the airinto static pressure. As the air enters the diffuser section 30, it is at its maximum velocity and minimum pressure. The pressure must be converted in the diffuser section to superatmospheric pressure to enable the fluid to flow on through the hose and foraminous coilector. In order to function properly, the ineluded or total angle of taper of the diffuser should be at least 1 and not greater than 20. A 7 taper has been Vfound to be very satisfactory.

The length of the diffuser section determines in part the maximum tension that can be put on the yarn. 'I-ension` may be expressed by the Newton equation CDT/2A 2 where C is a constant, lD is mass density, V is relative velocity, and A is area of contact. It will be seen from this equation that in handling a specific yarn two things may be done to increase tension. First, the length of the exposure to high velocity air could be increased and, secondly, the velocity of the discharge could be increased. Both of these conditions may be obtained to some extent by correct design of the diffuser and orifice. A longer diffuser would increase the area of contact (A) but might de.- crease the relative velocity (V). On the other hand, a large orifice of optimum design and a higher pressure will increase V. However, care must be exercised to prevent loss of suction by building up a back pressure in the diffuser.

The funnel 8 as shown in the diagram has a total taper angle of 20. While this is the preferred taper angle, it is not critical and may -vary between 10 and 50. Actually, since the purpose of this angle is to streamline the air flow, the shape should more properly be a curve. However, it has been found that the advantage to be gained is not worth the expense and the angle is generally satisfactory. The exit end I1 of the suction tube 9 which forms the annular opening with funnel 8' should be smooth, square ended and tapered to insure a uniform and streamlined flow of air through the funnel. It serves `a twofold purpose: First, to provide Va passageway to low pressure zone and, second, to act as a valve when moved toward and away from the funnel, thereby regulating the air flow. The taper angle on the outside of the suction tube 9 should be not greater than the 4funnel taper angle. It may range from 540 although a 20 included angle is preferred. The size and shape of this annular lopening Vis determined by the geometry of the system and by the position of the suction tube 9 with respect to funnel V8. In general, a small annular opening increases the velocity of air going through-the orifice accompanied by the lower pressure or higher vacuum in the suction tube. The geometry of the system determines the maximum vacuum that can be obtained in the suction tube. The yarn handling device of this invention will pull a vacuum in the suction tube equivalent to 25 inches of mercury. In actual practice the position of suction tube 9 with respect to funnel 8 to attain maximum vacuum in the suction tube is found by trial and error. The suction tube is moved toward and away from funnel 8 and when maximum vacuum is attained the vproximity of the suction tube to the funnel 8 is set by means o-f locking collar I6,

The position .0f maximum vacuum not the pcsition vof maximum tension AQn the yarn- As the size of the annular Qriccis increased by moving the suction tube away from funnel 8, the tension on the yarn is increased. The maximum tension on the yarn is reached when the pressure at the orifice approximately equals atmospheric pressure. Again, this point lis best determined by trial and error. Thisk is done because yarn speed and denier and the degreev` to which the laments stay in a bundle are factors which determine tension on the yarn. Since thesuction tube 9 and packing gland unit 33 can be unscrewed readily from the body ofthe yarn handling device, locking collar I5 can be set at various positions and the tension on the running length of yarn measured with a tensometer. This feature of variable tension makes the yarn handlingdevice useful in all yarn` processing operations. The tension on the running length of yarn at any step in the spinning, drawing, relaxing, winding, twisting, or coning operations can readily be duplicated by the yarnv handling device described by this invention and the proper tension maintained on the running yarn during stringup or doiing. When Stringing up a steam drawing chamber for high tenacity yarn, such as nylon and polyacrylonitrile yarns, it is frequently necessary to apply the maximum tension afforded by the yarn handlingdevice to the yarn to take up the slack in the steam tube caused by the softening of the yarn in the presence of high pressure steam. However, for some yarns this maximum tension may break the yar-n and the locking collar l5 would be set for lower tension.

Air is the common fluidused to operate the yarn handling device, although other fluids may be used. The air may be supplied at a pressure ranging from 40-100 lbs/sq; in. or higher from a relatively constant pressure source of supply. Minor fluctuations in the air pressure have little or no effect on the vacuum and tension to be attained by use of the yarn handling device. The packing gland unit 33 is designed to allow the pressure in air chamber 39 to move the suction tube 9 as far away from the orifice 8 as permitted by locking collar I5. Thus, when in operation the yarn handling device automatically supplies the desired tension on the yarn. When a strand of yarn is to be picked upl by the device of this invention, maximum vacuum is applied by holding locking collari against bushing 38. As soonas the manual pressure holding the locking collar I6 against the packing gland nut is released, the air-pressure slides suction tube 9 away from the orifice to the position determined by the setting of locking collar l5 and thereby applies the desired tension to theyarn. If desired, the suction tube S may beimade stationary and the combination of diffuser section and orifice made movable with appropriate stops to attain the variation in vacuum and tension, or other equivalent means may be used to control the size of the annulus.`

The yarn handling device of this invention is particularly useful in a drawing operation employing individual tubes as described previously. The drawing tubes are strung up by sucking the yarn through the tube with the aid of the yarn handling device andthe yarn is taken up by the device under the proper tension ,as fast as it issues from the steamv cell.. The rapidly moving yarn may then be placed around the ,Series of drawing rolls Whose peripheral Speed .is Several timesthat of the yarnspeed.

The facility with which running lengths of rammay be handled .by means ofthe .device .of this invention can be greatly increased by in- -corporating with it; two additional features, an .-atomizer for spraying finishen the take-upbobbin or pirn and a small yarn cutter. As shown in Figure 2 the main body of the yarnhandling device can serve readily as a liquid Vreservoir for the finish solution. The front end plate 2| is equipped with a Enger-controlled ball valve 40, as shown, which admitsvnish solution from the reservoir and air under pressure into the atomizer head 4l. 'I'he button 42 forms a close sliding fit with bushing 43. A pin 44 extending through button 42 will contact bushing 43 and prevent the button from coming out. Air pressure in the Yyarn handling device seats ball 45 against the bottom of bushing 46 and air is prevented from flowing through passageway 4l and tube 48 and out of the atomizer head at 4S. The conical piece 56 is attached to the end of tube 48 by a press t and forms with the atomizer head a passageway 5I for the spray. Tube 52 extends to the bottom of the finish reservoir and continues as boring 53 to supply nish solution to the tubular duct formed by bushing 54 and tube 48.

Pressure of the finger on button 42 disengages .ball 45 and permits air from cross drilling 27 to flow up through passageway 4l and tube 48. The exit of the air from tube 48 into the atmosphere through the opening 49` in the atomizer head creates suction in passageway 5i and thereby draws the finish solution from the reservoir into contact with the air leaving tube 48.

On the other hand, iinish solution contained in a small auxiliary supply vessel may be sprayed on a roll or take-up bobbin'by means of an atomizer substituted in place of plug 5 in the yarn handling deviceshown in Figure 8.

Yarn cutters are shown in Figures 5, 6 and '7.

The cutter in Figures 5 and 6 in asimple sharp hook 55 extending from a sleeve 56 which forms a smooth sliding iit over suction tube 9. A length of yarn running through the yarn handling device described by this invention can be readily and efficiently cut at the entrance ofthe suction tube merely by turning the yarn handling device perpendicular to the yarn path and pulling on the cutter, thereby shearing the yarn olf between .the hook and the suction tube. Figure 7 illustrates a tubular knife cutter adapted to suction .tube 9 so that the yarn may be cut inside the Vtube if desired. Springs 5'! andcollar 53 hold theplunger 59 in position for free passage of Athe yarn through the suction tube 9. The running length of yarn may be cut simply by pressing the plunger.

With the aid of these additional features an operatorrcan carry out an entire string-up operation with one hand. Doiing operations are also facilitated. For example, in cloning a pirn the operator applies maximum suction to the suction tube 9, brings this tubel into contact with the running length of yarn and cuts the yarn at thev mouth of the suction tube by means of the small cutter and thereby almost simultaneously sucking the loose end of yarn through the yarn handling device. Suction tube 9 is then released from its high vacuum position and the desired tension is automatically applied to the yarn.

lWhile holding the yarn handling device in one hand, the operator can stop the revolving pirn by means of a knee-controlled brake and change the pirn with the other hand. The new pirn can then be readily strung up without touching the yarn.. The yarn is cut, the cutting being accompanied by a b last of spray from the atomizer to tack the looseY end'down onto the pirn barreLh f8 The usepf the device of this invention eliminates the need for expensive auxiliary take-up devices. Inaddition, a substantially steady tension can be maintainedV on the running yarn throughout the process.

Y The yarn handling device described by this invention is invaluable inthe string-up of an individual steam drawing tube following a break of a strand of yarn in the continuous individual tube warp drawing process. The momentary change from high vacuum to high tension possible with the use of this yarn handling device is necessary to successfully and eiciently stringup the individual steain tube Without temporarily shutting down the entire Warp drawing process. This invention represents an outstanding improvement in yarn handling devices. It is, of course, recognized that by slight modiiications the device can be adapted to handle other shaped articles such as ribbons.

Any departure from the procedure described herein which conforms to the principles of the invention is intended to be included within the scope of the claims below.

I claim:

1. A yarn handling device comprising an air inlet tube; an air outlet tube; a passageway between said inlet and said outlet tubes; at the exit end of said outlet tube a diffuser section; and in said outlet tube a suction tube slideably mounted 'to form with said outlet tube and said diffuser section a variable annulus.

2. A yarn handling device comprising an air inlet tube; an air outlet tube; a passageway between said inlet and said outlet tubes; at the exit end of said outlet tube a, diifuser section; and a suction tube slideably mounted in said outlet tube comprising with said outlet tube and said diffuser section a passageway for Said yarn through said device.

3. A yarn handling device comprising an air inlet tube; an air outlet tube; a passageway between said inlet and said outlet tubes; at the exit end of said outlet tube a diffuser section; and a suction tube slideably mounted in said outlet tube to form with said outlet tube and said diffuser section a variable annulus whose size is dependent upon the nearness of said exit end of said suction tube to the inlet of said diffuser section.

4. A yarn handling device comprising a cylinder itted with a back end plate and a front end plate; an air inlet tube extending from said back end plate into and terminating in said front Vendrplate; an air outlet tube extending from said back end plate into and terminating in said front end plate; in the front end plate a passageway connecting Said inlet and said outlet tubes; in the outlet tube a diffuser section and adjacent funnel and a suction tube slideably mounted in said front end plate and extending within said outlet Vtube and beyond said front end plate, said suction tube comprising with said funnel and said outlet tube a variable annulus whose size is dependent upon the nearness of said suction tube to said diffuser section.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4 in which said diffuser section is internally tapered to a wide exit at an angle of from 1 to 20.

6. A device in accordanceY with claim 4 in which said diffuser section has a taper of from 10to 50 at the end near said suction tube.

7. A device in accordance with claim 4 in which said suction tube hasV an external taper 9 at its end Within said outlet tube, said taper being from 5 to 40.

8. A yarn handling device comprising a cylinder fitted with a back end plate and a front end plate; an air inlet tube extending from beyond said back end plate into and terminating in said front end plate; an air outlet tube extending from said back end plate and terminating in said front end plate; in said front end plate a passageway connecting said inlet and said outlet tubes; at the exit end of said outlet tube a section having an internal outward taper of from 1 to 20; a suction tube slideably mounted in said front plate and extending within said outlet tube and beyond said front plate, said suction tube having at its end within said outlet tube an external taper of from 5 to 40; located between said tapered end of said suction tube and the exit end of said outlet tube a funnel having a tapel` of from 10 to 50 forming with said suction tube and said outlet tube a variable annulus, the size of said annulus being dependent upon the nearness of said suction tube to said diffuser section; located between said funnel and the exit end of said outlet tube a CFI diiuser section having a aring internal taper of from 1 to 20; and on said suction tube an outward and an inward arresting device.

9. A device in accordance with claim 8, in which said back end plate contains an inlet for a liquid to the reservoir formed by said back end plate, said front end plate and said cylinder; and mounted on said front end plate an aspirator connected to said liquid reservoir by a tube and to said air inlet tube by a valve.

CLARENCE EDWIN MILLER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 649,672 Parson May 15, 1900 1,421,843 Schmidt July 4, 1922 2,135,962 Conery et al Nov. 8, 1938 2,302,790 Modigliani Nov. 24, 1942 2,402,228 Jackson et al. June 18, 1946 2,475,832 Gilliland July 12, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,928 Great Britain of 1911 

